31 Ekim 2014 Cuma

In Abana district of Kastamonu province, heavy waves deposited sand
at the entrance to the fishing boat shelter forcing fishermen to transport
their boats over the sand into the sea. The fishing boats were brought
to the mouth of the blockaded shelter and moved over the sand with the
help of machines and manpower.

Unexpected sand bar chokes off harbor entrance at Abana.

Abana is on Kastamonu's east Black Sea coast.

===========================================

Sand trap.

Meanwhile, in Yakutiye district of Erzurum, a truck loaded
with sand was swallowed by a hole that suddenly appeared
in the main road connecting Caykaya and Hastaneler Boulevard.
The driver of the truck was hospitalized.

At about the same time, a fire engine also fell into a hole on
the road about 5 meters further on from the first mishap. Officials
stated that a drinking water pipe erupted, causing the road to cave
in. Yakutiye district is in Erzurum city.

30 Ekim 2014 Perşembe

In Hatay province's Reyhanli district, Halit Tekin's first marriage was
to then-15 year old Nihal Tekin (47) in 1982. Subsequently, Tekin
began living with Gul Sasar, Zekiye Kogu (both 41) and Fatma
Budak (54). Tekin has 32 children from his four wives and although
one child died six months ago, his first wife Nihal gave birth to a
child on 27 October, keeping the total figure at 32.

Tekin named his newest son Ahmet and noted that "one of my children
died six months ago but now I have 12 sons and 20 daughters. I love
them very much. If my health permits, and if God allows it, I want the
number to reach 50."

His first wife Nihal has given Tekin 5 children, second wife Gul 14,
third wife Zekiye 5 and fourth wife Fatma 8. Tekin asserted that there
are no problems between his wives and each of them has a separate
house. Five of his children have married and Tekin has 18 grandchildren.

As for his income, Tekin explained that "I sing at local events to make
money. Between the wives, children, brides and grandchildren our
family totals 60 people. Since we can't fit into one house each family
lives separately. We all get along great. I've memorized the names of
my children and love them all very much. I'm very happy being with
them."

Zekiye Tekin (wife #3) stated that "we're one big happy family but
there are days when it's difficult to meet everyone's needs. Winter has
come and those who need coal are getting help. We expect assistance
from the Reyhanli district office and the Social Aid Foundation."

29 Ekim 2014 Çarşamba

The city of Kobani, currently in the throes of civil war, is
nevertheless serving as inspiration for an entrepreneur.
Fahri Dogan Bato has applied to the Turkish Patent Office
(TPE) to acquire the rights for the names 'Kobani' and
'Kobane'. Bato wants to use the Kobani brand for 10
different textile and food products.

In response to the question "aren't you concerned about the
perception that you're taking advantage of war?", Bato
explained that "I'm a Kurd. Whatever I earn from this
I'm planning to share with the people of that region who
are hurting right now (!)."

Markiz Patent general director Orhan Eriman, who delivered
Bato's request to TPE, said that the brands can be used in
2015, after the 9-month approval period is completed.

25 Ekim 2014 Cumartesi

As the fighting continues in Kobani, Syria, there have been interesting
developments in Sanliurfa. While tourism companies have been cancelling
activities in the city, which annually draws 650,000 tourists, the 5-star
hotels are filled with members of foreign news organizations and armed
forces.

Enterprising 'simit' vendor feeding the spectators.

It is impossible to find a vacant room for the weekend at many hotels
in Sanliurfa. The head of Sanliurfa's Commerce and Industry Association,
Sabri Ertekin, said, noting that Sanliurfa is an important location for
tourism. He added that "this year we'll have trouble drawing 300,000
tourists but the hotels in the city are full. Sanliurfa's tourist number has
been rising by 20 percent per year but tourism companies are cancelling
activities for the fall and winter months. The city has been seriously
affected but, on the other hand, the hotels are full with reporters covering
the story and security forces personnel. It's hard to find a vacant hotel
room but the tourist number will fall to 300,000."

What's simit without cay?ISIS getting a promotion fee from the hotel money?

The incident occurred on Cumhuriyet Boulevard in the Kale neighborhood
of Samsun's Ilkadim district during the evening hours. Abdullah H.I., who
works in a bakery, became despondant when he separated from his
girlfriend. He hung off the 3rd floor balcony and threated suicide. Police
and rescue teams rushed to the scene and firefighters put an air mattress
underneath Abdullah H.I.

As police tried unsuccessfully to talk him down, Abdullah H.I. demanded
that his girlfriend come to talk to him. Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered
at the scene and began chanting in unison "Jump! Jump!. Evidently
challenged by the chanting, Abdullah H.I. jumped and fell off the side of
the mattress, hitting his head on the ground. He was taken to Samsun
Training and Research Hospital for treatment.

Ilkadim district is in central Samsun city.==================================================turkcelinks to original Turkish article

(Hurriyet Newspaper, 22 October 2014)

"You know how to swim, right?"

As the Turkish Airlines (THY) flight from Athens was descending
to land at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul yesterday a flight
attendant accidentally pushed the wrong announcement button
resulting in the following warning: "we are making an emergency
landing in the sea. Put your seats in an upright position, loosen
your ties and scarves, close your tray tables and open the blinds
on your windows."

Panic among the passengers ensued but abated when the flight
attendant explained that there had been a mistake. Nevertheless,
the passengers did not breathe a sigh of relief until the plane
touched the runway. One of the passengers, G.A., stated that
after the mis-announcement, the plane circled for 20 minutes
over the Sea of Marmara waiting to land, adding to their anxiety.

G.A. added that "we were in shock. The Turkish passengers were
praying. At this point I came eye to eye with a flight attendant
collecting empty glasses and she just smiled and said there had
been a mistaken announcement. We were white as sheets. Why
didn't they explain to us what had happened? We all hugged
each other when the plane landed but THY still gave us no
explanation. That was the hardest part to stomach."